The Stiffs (UK)

The Stiffs. A name unfamiliar to most, so let me elucidate. Hailing from Blackburn in Lancashire, they started gigging in 1977 although it would be 1980 before they secured a recording contract. A trifle late, as their style (at least initially) was decidedly Punky. Like on the opening track Crazy Mixed-Up Emotion from 1981, with a great hookline and chorus. Like any up and coming band, they managed to secure a BBC “John Peel” session, which included the great Hook In Your Heart and Standing Ovation, both again complete with infectious hooks that’ll have you humming along like a long-time fan. These sessions are also notable for including BBC producer (and one-time Mott The Hoople drummer) Dale Griffin on drums after their sticksman couldn’t make the session. A name change to Idol Rich failed to have the desired effect, despite the strength of the material (such as Stand Up with its decidedly live feel). Ditto the Vicious Rumours, so 1985 saw The Stiffs resurrected once more, here represented with “In Your World” with another trademark singalong chorus and a great guitar hook. It was not to be, and in 1988 they finally called it a day. OK, so The Stiffs never made the big time, but this collection of tracks spanning their career shows that had they had proper record company support first time aroung things may have turned out differently.

Inside Out 7'' (1979)

01 - Inside Out
02 - Kids On The Street

Standard English 7'' (1979)

01 - Standard English
02 - DC Rip
03 - Brookside Riot Squad

Volume Control 7'' (1980)

01 - Volume Control
02 - Nothing To Lose

Goodbye My Love 7'' (1981)

01 - Goodbye My Love
02 - Magic Roundabout

Innocent Bystander 7'' (1981)

01 - Innocent Bystander
02 - Affairs Of The Heart

The Young Guitars 7'' (1985)

01 - The Young Guitars
02 - Yer Under Attack

The Punk Collection (1999)

01 - Inside Out
02 - Kid On The Street
03 - Brookside Riot Squad
04 - Standard English
05 - It's Not Rock 'N' Roll
06 - Magic Roundabout
07 - Affairs Of The Heart
08 - Nothing To Lose
09 - Volume Control
10 - Innocent Bystander
11 - Crazy Mixed Up Emotion
12 - Love Is Last Year's Thing
13 - Goodbye My Love
14 - (I'm Not) Sold On You
15 - Tomorrow's Still Alive
16 - The Young Guitars
17 - Yer Under Attack
18 - (Bring On The) Chelsea Girls
19 - Start Studded Sham
20 - Girls All Over The World

Stiffology 1981-1988 (2001)

01 - Crazy Mixed-Up Emotion
02 - Standing Ovation
03 - Your Passenger
04 - Hook In Your Heart
05 - Child's Play
06 - Over The Balcony
07 - Standing Ovation
08 - Best Place In Town
09 - Idol Rich - Peso Trail
10 - Idol Rich - Stand Up
11 - Idol Rich - Never Gonna Let You Down
12 - Idol Rich - Blaze Of Love
13 - Vicious Rumours - Look, Don't Touch
14 - Rocket Ship
15 - In Your World
16 - The Bono Twins - Tonight We Dance
17 - Running In The Rain
18 - The Stiff All-Stars - Hogjowls

Innocent Bystanders (2003)

01 - Volume Control (Previously Unreleased)
02 - Inside Out
03 - Kids On The Street
04 - Matthew (Unreleased Demo)
05 - Magic Roundabout (Unreleased Demo)
06 - Brookside Riot Squad
07 - Innocent Bystander (Previously Unreleased)
08 - Goodbye My Love (Unreleased Demo)
09 - Pastimes (Unreleased Demo)
10 - Best Place In Town (Previously Unreleased)
11 - Standard English
12 - Affairs Of The Heart
13 - Nothing To Lose
14 - It's Not Rock And Roll
15 - Over The Balcony (Unreleased Demo)
16 - Crazy Mixed Up Emotion (Unreleased Demo)
17 - Innocent Bystander (Early Rough Demo)
18 - Volume Control (Unreleased Demo)
19 - Interview With Phil Hendriks By Alan Parker

Extreemager 7'' (2012)

01 - Extreemager
02 - Laugh In My Face

The Singles Collection 1979-1985 (2023)

01 - Standard English (7'' Version)

02 - D-C RIP

03 - Brookside Riot Squad (7'' Version)

04 - Inside Out

05 - Kids On The Street

06 - Volume Control

07 - Nothing To Lose

08 - Innocent Bystander

09 - Affairs Of The Heart

10 - Goodbye My Love

11 - Magic Roundabout

12 - The Young Guitars

13 - Yer Under Attack

Demos And Rarities 1978-1981 (2024)

01 - Inside Out (1978 Demo)

02 - Brookside Riot Squad (1979 Radio Session)

03 - Matthew (1979 Radio Session)

04 - Magic Roundabout (1979 Radio Session)

05 - Kids On The Street (1979 Radio Session)

06 - Volume Control (EMI  Audition)

07 - Standard English (EMI Audition)

08 - Innocent Bystander (EMI Audition)

09 - Pastimes (EMI Audition)

10 - Goodbye My Love (Unreleased 1980 Master)

11 - It's Not Rock 'N' Roll

12 - Love Is Last Year's Thing

13 - Over The Balcony (1981 Demo)

14 - (I'm Not) Sold On You

15 - Tomorrow's Still Alive

16 - Crazy Mixed Up Emotion (Master)

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